ATTENTION RAFTER… This year the Heller Bar route will be the same as Pittsburg Landing, except we continue on from Whitebird to Grangeville, then Lewiston, then Asotin Washington. There is a paved road from Asotin Washington to Hellers Bar, with just a few miles of gravel. It extends our shuttle around 1 1/2 hours. The following information will let you know about the road conditions and when it will be open for our shuttle use. .Thank you and hope to see you soon…..Scotty and Diana

Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (FSR 39) Reconstruction

Construction has resumed after a long winter on the 13-mile stretch of the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, also known as the North Pine section of Forest Service Road (FSR) 39. The North Pine section begins at the junction of Highway 86 and heads north for 13 miles on FSR 39. This section of the road will be closed through June 15th, 2014 twenty four hours a day. Forest Service Road 66, which is the detour route (see below for further information) will be available for travel depending on snow conditions, which normally doesn’t become free of snow until July 1st.

The 2014 construction schedule for the 13-mile North Pine section of FSR 39 is as follows: * Spring 2014: Construction work on the 13-mile North Pine section of FSR 39 has begun and this section of the road will be closed until June 15, which will begin the next phase of the construction, roadway excavation (see next bullet). * June 16, 2014 to June 30 2014: The 13-mile North Pine section of FSR 39 will be closed beginning at 8:00 am every Tuesday morning through 5:00 pm every Thursday evening 6/16/14 – 6/30/14. The road will be open at 5:01 pm every Thursday evening through 7:59 am every Tuesday morning for travel 6/16/14 – 6/30/14. However, it’s important to note that the road surface will be rough as it is still under construction during these open periods.

* July 1, 2014 to October 15, 2014: Visitors can expect up to one hour delays on the 13-mile North Pine section of FSR 39. Construction activities will be on-going, so please drive responsibility through the construction zone (see detour route information below beginning July 1, 2014).

Forest Service Road (FSR) 66 will be available for use as the detour route depending on snow levels. FSR 66 begins at the junction of FSR 39 and FSR 66 (also referred to as Duck Creek, Fish Lake Road, Twin Lakes Road, or Clear Creek Road) and continues west then south before connecting with Baker County Road 999, just north of Halfway. The detour route is 30 miles in length and is a well-maintained single-lane gravel road with pullouts. The route is suitable for vehicles with trailers; however it is not recommended for motor homes. If unsure of suitability, please contact the Wallowa Mountains Office at 541-426-5546 or the Pine Field Office at 541-742-6705.

Visitors should be aware that the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road and FSR 66 are often closed by snow from late October through late June, and are not passable by automobiles during this time period. Both FSR 66 and FSR 39 are snowmobile routes. For additional information on the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, please visitwww.hellscanyonbyway.comandwww.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman. Thank you.